APRIL 2019

Rev. Brenda Carroll - District Superintendent

brendacarroll@holston.org
MAILING ADDRESS PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Mary Hawkins - Administrative Assistant P.O. Box 26384 5121 Camelia Road
maryhawkins@holston.org
Knoxville, TN 37912 Knoxville, TN 37912
Lori Hopper - Administrative Assistant, Editor
lorihopper@holston.org Phone : 865.470.7005 and 865.482.3209

The Hope of the World

I miss being in the local church during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter – for purely selfish reasons.

As I studied for sermons, I cared for my own faith journey …the call to repentance., the propensi-
ty of disciples (myself) to misunderstand, the courage of Jesus in contrast to the disciples’ (my)
lack of courage…confession…forgiveness…injustice of the systems…blindness of people (myself),
fickleness of people (myself). And the ultimate victory of life over death. Oh how I love those
Easter morning images: Empty Tomb, Risen Lord, Go and Tell! It was not instantaneous, but hap-
pened gradually, the reclaiming of Easter hope after Good Friday hopelessness.

Just as the early followers of Jesus gradually began to realize that the “Risen Christ is with us,”
and that changes EVERYTHING, our individual hearts and our congregations need that realiza-
tion. Legislative meetings are not the hope of the world. Clergy changes are not the hope of the
world. Our own opinions are not the hope of the world.

Jesus is the hope of the world …the Risen Lord…forgiving, redeeming, healing, meeting us in un-
expected times and places, showing us that we are loved, showing us how to love.

I need the confession and pardon of Holy Week. I need the message of Easter…and I earnestly
believe our churches and communities need the good news brought out of the dark tomb.

What if we told people about our latest experiences of Jesus instead of how little money we have
or how attendance is dropping or how bad things are since General Conference. Jesus told Mary
to “go and tell” what you have seen and heard. She had seen the Risen Lord. She had heard Him
call her name. Now that’s worth talking about!

Easter Blessings,

Brenda
 News for Tennessee

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________
Valley District Clergy

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

For our next
District Clergy Gathering

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

10:00am - LUNCH

FOUNTAIN CITY
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH JUBILATION 2019
LUNCH WILL BE INCLUDED
May 6 - 8, 2019
MENU TBA
MainStay Suites, Pigeon Forge
Please makes plans to attend to welcome incoming
District Superintendent Ann Robins and to say farewell Register today for Jubilation - A retreat for adults
to our colleagues moving from the district. (50+) who desire to explore and enhance their relation-
ship with Christ. http://jubilation.holston.org
Please RSVP to lorihopper@holston.org or by calling the
district office at 865-470-7005 or 865-482-3209 We all have been richly blessed! Join us at Jubilation
2019 as we explore ways that we are more than our
memories. Bishop Ken Carder will share ways to under-
stand persons with dementia and as a congregation, to
care for those persons and their families. We will also
SEXUAL ETHICS & BOUNDARIES SEMINARS enjoy entertainment from Rev. Brad Hyde (aka Forrest
Gump) and Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier Band as well as
ATTENTION: optional workshops on gardening, financial planning,
ALL CLERGY UNDER APPOINTMENT! mental aerobics, and music.

Don’t forget to sign-up for one of the mandatory sexual You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
ethics and boundaries seminars. You know when I sit and when I rise; you per-
ceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1-2
Please note the dates and locations below. You will receive
0.5 CEU’s for attendance. For a complete schedule and registration
 Tuesday, April 30 - Ootlewah UMC information, please visit:
9:30am-4:00pm Jubilation.holston.org
 Thursday, May 2 - First Farragut UMC FULL ______________________________________________
9:30am-4:00pm
 Saturday, May 4 - Colonial Heights UMC (Kingsport) CEU NEWS
10:30am-5:00pm For the latest continuing education news and from
 Monday, May 6 - State Street UMC (Bristol) the Wesley Leadership Institute, please visit:
9:30am-4:00pm https://app.robly.com/archive?
id=75af9cd7197f87b92367743ffeb92d9a
 Wednesday, May 8 - St. Paul UMC (Wytheville)
9:30am-4:00pm
Email: sueweber@holston.org
Register at: Phone: 865-293-4135
https://holston.org/events/2019/apr/30/sexual-ethics-and Website: Wesley Leadership Institute
-boundaries-seminar/

April 2019 Page 2

 May 2019
Tennessee Valley District’s Lay Servant/Lay Speaker Training

Saturday, May 4, 2019, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church

7234 Middlebrook Pike
Knoxville, Tennessee 37909-1159

Please check the course you desire and return the form with your check prior to the deadline.
Registration Fee: $ 40.00 Registration Deadline: April 22, 2019

Basic Course: Instructor: Book/Author:

□ Lay Servant Basic Course Rev. John Justice Lay Servant Ministries/ Jackson

Advanced Courses: Instructor: Book/Author:

□ Preaching Rev. Don Thomas From Pew to Pulpit, Clifton F. Guthrie

□ Spiritual Gifts Rev. Doug Jennings Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, William C. Carter

□ Improving Your Rev. Bruce Galyon Clip In: Risking Hospitality in Your Church
Church’s Hospitality Fiona Haworth, Jim Ozier
(This class is for anyone interested in Hospitality at Church or for 3 year recertification for Certified Lay Servant or Certified
Lay Speaker. (It does not count toward Certified Lay Speaker Required Courses)

*The registration fee includes a lunch on Saturday, snacks, books and instructor expenses.

Please indicate any special needs: ____________________________________________________________

Name: _______________________________________ Select your choice of course above and return

Address: _____________________________________ this form with your check made to:

____________________________________________ Tennessee Valley District for $ 40.00 – Mail to:

Phone: ______________________________________ Bobby Stair

E-Mail: ______________________________________ 2511 Ancient Oak Lane

Church/Charge: _______________________________ Knoxville, TN 37931

Questions: Contact Bobby Stair, District Lay Servant Director

bsstair@comcast.net or 865-776-0580

April 2019 Page 3

 Tennessee Valley District
Certified Lay Minister Training 2019
Dates: May 4, 2019, May 18, 2019, June 1, 2019, &
June 15, 2019 (if needed)

ALL Training Dates will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Saturday May 4th will be about 6 hours of class. All other dates will be about 4 hours.

The training will be held at:

Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church
7234 Middlebrook Pike
Knoxville, TN 37909

To become a Certified Lay Minister, you need to complete the following requirements:

1. Be certified as a lay servant, lay missioner (or equivalent as defined by your central conference).
2. Obtain written recommendation from the pastor and the church council or charge conference of the local
church in which you hold membership.

3. Complete a track of study relevant to your assignment as defined by Discipleship Ministries or the Na-
tional Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry in collaboration with Discipleship Ministries and the conference
committee on lay servant ministries or equivalent structure.

4. Receive a letter of recommendation from your district superintendent.

5. Have all requirements for certification, including appropriate screening and assessment, as defined by the
annual conference, reviewed by the conference committee on lay servant ministries, or equivalent struc-
ture, for referral to the district committee on ordained ministry for examination of persons who have ap-
plied in writing to be certified lay ministers and to make recommendation for certification (see 666.10 of
Book of Discipline). After the district committee on ordained ministry interviews you, the district com-
mittee on ordained ministry will make a recommendation to the conference committee on lay servant
ministries for final certification by that committee.

Please pray about your interest in becoming a Certified Lay Minister. Consider what your
area of ministry and mission might be. Please discuss this when you have your meeting
with your pastor.

Please contact Bobby Stair for more information: bsstair@comcast.net or 865-776-0580

We will have a meeting of all attendees the week after Easter.

April 2019 Page 4

 HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE
June 9-12, 2019 Lake Junaluska, NC

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019 UPDATE
There is no need to pre-register for Annual Conference.
Pastors: If your Local Church Lay Member has changed,
please notify the district office.
Clergy and Lay Members to Annual Conference:
Please make sure the district office has your correct contact
information.
Mission Offering and Change for Children
Envelopes for the Annual Conference Mission Offering and
Change for Children will be mailed to pastors this week.
Pentecost Sunday
The first day of Annual Conference, June 9, is Pentecost Sun-
day. Make plans to wear red or orange when you arrive at
Lake Junaluska. Registration will begin at 2:00pm at the
Foundation for Evangelism

AC offering will tackle opioid crisis —————————————————————

This year's Annual Conference mission offering will be
used to address the opioid crisis in our region. The Communion Servers
2019 Holston Annual Conference theme is "Healing Lay members and clergy members of the Annual
Hands." Watch AC offering video. Conference are invited to volunteer to serve
communion during the opening worship service
___________________________________________________
or during one of the morning Bible studies during
conference.
Annual Conference Choir
You are invited to participate If you would like to participate please respond to Lori Sluder at
in an Annual Conference LoriSluder@holston.org no later than Friday, May 10, 5:00
Choir composed of lay and p.m. Please include your name, church, district, and e-mail ad-
clergy members of the Annual dress, cell phone number, and if you are clergy or lay. You will
Conference. The choir will receive an e-mail before annual conference to let you know
sing on Sunday evening, when your rehearsal time will be and what service or Bible
June 9, 2019 during the study you will be participating in.
opening worship service beginning at 7:55 p.m. and
again during the memorial service on June 10, ———————————————————--——-
2019 at 2:00 p.m. Spouses who are in attendance
for the Annual Conference are also welcomed to par- Childcare
ticipate. Thanks to the generosity of donors to camping ministry, this
year, childcare will be free of charge.
Choir rehearsals will be held on Sunday afternoon,
June 9, at 5:45 p.m. on the Stuart Auditorium stage Childcare will be divided into two age group categories: 6
and then again on Monday afternoon, June 10, at months to 4 years, and 4 - 13 years old. All of our staff will be
1:15 p.m. on the Stuart Auditorium stage. The an- Safe Sanctuary trained.
thems will be sent to you when they are available.
Registration deadline: June 1, 2019
Please indicate your willingness to participate and the
e-mail address that you would like the anthem re- Space is limited, so be sure to register today.
cordings sent to by responding to Lori Sluder Register at ac.holston.org
at LoriSluder@holston.org no later than Friday,

April 2019 Page 5

 DROP-OFF: FOOD BUCKETS WILL BE COLLECTED ON ONE DATE ONLY
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019
AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE

SHIPPING COST: $5 per kit. Bring one check from the church payable to "Tennessee Valley
District" for total amount. (ie: 20 kits x $5/kit =$100)

PLEASE DO NOT PUT MONEY OR CHECKS IN THE BUCKETS.

April 2019 Page 6

 TRAIN YOUR LEADER! CONVERSATIONS ON RACE INVITES
UMVIM TEAM LEADER TRAINING WILL BE OF- YOU TO MEET THE AUTHOR
FERED IN HOLSTON CONFERENCE

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, April 28, 5–7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019 Conversations on Race is pleased to
welcome the Rev. Robert W. Lee as
Time:10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
our speaker on Sunday, April 28
Price: $26 at 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall at
Church Street UMC. He is the
Who Should Attend: UMVIM Team Leaders needing great-great-great-great grand-
this training and any persons interested in leading a mis- nephew of General Robert E. Lee
sion team on a trip. and has written a new book called A
Please bring a sack lunch. This course provides you Sin by Any Other Name: Reckoning
the tools you will need to confidently lead a mission with Racism and the Heritage of the
team from your church congregation on a successful South. Longtime friends with Rev.
mission trip either within the USA or throughout the Lee, Rev. Palmer Cantler was instrumental in arrang-
world. The cost of the course is $26, which is the cost of ing for him to speak at Church Street. Rev. Lee grad-
the Team Leader Handbook which you will receive at the uated from Duke Divinity School and after graduation
UMVIM Team Leader Training. Please register so that began his ministry at Bethany United Church of Christ
sufficient materials will be available that day. in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Realizing that this
relative whom he had idolized had become “an idol of
For questions regarding the event, please contact:
Maxine or Bob Schultz, 865-719-4304 or 865-719-3230 white supremacy…an idol of nationalism and of bigot-
ry and of hate and of racism,” Rev. Lee began to
____________________________________ speak out. After the events of Charlottesville, he
spoke at an MTV award show, denouncing white su-
JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS premacy and racism. He found that using his voice
was unacceptable to some and dangerous for him-
St. Mark UMC in Clinton seeks a self. His church, unaccustomed to such attention,
part-time Children’s Director to asked him to resign. He is currently teaching at Appa-
provide guidance, discipleship, and lachian State and has been interviewed on NPR’s All
programming for children through Things Considered and been a guest on ABC’s The
grade 5. Hours required: up to 12 per View. His memoir tells of growing up in the South (as
week. Preference is for candidates to a Lee) and his front-row seat in the world of the
be 21 or older. Email resume and cover letter to: white Christian majority. Rev. Lee shares how he
st_mark@comcast.net or mail to: St. Mark UMC, Attn: comes to terms with his own awakening and under-
SPRC, 252 N. Main Street, Clinton, TN 37716 standing of racism and how power, privilege and po-
sition are all defined by the color of our skin. He will
Positions available at Partners for Children located at address how white Christians today continue to be
Cedar Lane UMC. Teachers and substitutes are complicit in a culture of racism and injustice. The
needed. Partners for Children is currently hiring a Toddler book has been called a “love letter to the South, from
lead teacher and a 3 year old lead teacher. Must have the South, by a Lee but one that points the way to-
had at least one college course in child development or ward change and renewal.” As we work to dismantle
equivalent and have had 1 year experience in a group institutionalized racism in our world and in our
setting. Pay is based on education and experience. churches, it is both crucial and helpful to learn from
Contact Cindy Dalton at 865-689-9516. PFC website is others on this road. We encourage you to join us on
http://www.partnersforchildren-knoxville.org/ for infor- April 28 and to invite friends and others who will be
mation about this 3-Star Child Development Center interested in hearing Rev. Lee’s journey.

All are welcome.

April 2019 Page 7

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Holston Conference Five-Day
Academy for Spiritual Formation
16th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
July 14 - 19, 2019
Giving kids the chance to experience the wonders Emory & Henry College, Emory, Virginia
of church camp!
God with Us: Age to Age
Monday, April 29, 2019 Loving and Praying Through All of Our Days
Egwani Farms Golf Course
For registration and more information, click here:
Academy for Spiritual Formation
Morning and afternoon tee times available.

For information and registration, please visit: _____________________________________________

https://www.campwesleywoods.com/golf-tournament-2019.html

_____________________________________________

Summer Youth Events

at Lake Junaluska

Bring your youth group to Lake Junaluska this summer for

worship, spiritual growth and adventure in the mountains
of Western North Carolina. Every event includes energized
Mark your calendars for these upcoming worship with great speakers and bands, small groups, ves-
pers and workshops. Youth also can choose to participate
Wesley House events!
in mission projects and recreational activities such as raft-
ing, ziplining or swimming. Find more information at
Wesley House Friends and Donors Breakfast www.lakejunaluska.com/summeryouth.
Friday, July 19
Dates:
Location: TBA Event 1: June 15-19 – Rev. Andy Lambert with Jimmy
Atkins and the Light ’Em Ups and a talent show, outdoor
Doors Open at 6:45 a.m. movie and Sunday morning worship in Stuart Auditorium
Free to all guests.
Event 2: June 20-23 – Rev. Juan Huertas with Abbye
West Pates and a talent show

Event 3: June 23-27 – Guest speaker Stephanie Caro

with Abbye West Pates and a talent show and outdoor
UnMask the Future movie
Masquerade Ball
Friday, September 13 Event 4: June 27-30 – Rev. Janjay Innis with Zachariah
Suggs and illusionist Josh Lozoff
The Mill and Mine
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Event 5: June 30-July 3 – Rev. Jeremy Steele with
Zachariah Suggs and illusionist Josh Lozoff

865.524.5494 Event 6: July 10-14 – Rev. Kevin Wright with Jimmy

Atkins and the Light ’Em Ups and a talent show and
www.wesleyhouse.com comedian

April 2019 Page 8

DISTRICT YOUTH ELECT CCYM

______________________________________________________________________________________
REPRESENTATIVES

Tennessee Valley
District Youth met
on March 30 at
Kern Memorial UMC
in Oak Ridge. The
band Shine Effect
led an evening of Saturday, May 18, 2019
worship. 9:00am
Congratulations to Victor Ashe Park
elected CCYM Representatives: Catelee Crow, Meri Grant,
and Carter Rejman (alternate). Your support of Tillery's Hustle for Hope 5k helps fund
Lighthouse Family Retreats serving families living
__________________________________________ through a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Tillery is the daughter of Joe and

DENMAN EVANGELISM AWARD
Alana Phillips. Joe is the pastor of
NOMINATIONS DUE MAY 1 Norwood UMC in the Tennessee Val-
ley District. Tillery and family have
Each year, Holston Conference seeks to honor one clergy been living with childhood cancer
person, one lay person, and one youth whose lives exem- since Tillery was 15 months old.
plify the spirit and dedication of Harry Denman with the
Denman Evangelism Award. Register today! (Registration fee
goes up on April 18). There’s some-
Love for the Lord and his fellow human beings was the thing for everyone at Tillery’s Hustle
keynote of Harry Denman’s life. His leadership in evange- for Hope - 5k, virtual 5k, 1 mile, and
a nice pavilion to sit and support!
lism was unique as was his personal life and witness.
Join us May 18 to run, walk, cheer,
sit, stand, or whatever you do best!
Nominations Deadline is May 1

Information and Nomination Form can be found at: Register at:

http://hustleforhope5k.com
https://holston.org/ministries/connectional-ministries/
evangelism-witness/programs/denman/

Tennessee Valley District United Methodist Women

2019 Calendar of Events
May 17-19 RISE Conference Mission Event, MainStay Suites, Pigeon Forge
June 9-12 Holston Annual Conference, Lake Junaluska, NC
July 19-20 Holston Conference Mission u, Pleasant View UMC, Abingdon, VA
August 10 Social Action Workshop, Location TBA
September 13-15 Spiritual Enrichment/Annual Meeting/District Officer Training,
(Note New Date!) Meadowview Conference Center, Kingsport, TN
September 13 Treasurer Officer Training, Meadowview Conference Center, Kingsport, TN
October 5 Mujeres en Accion (Women in Action) Event, Pleasant View UMC, Abingdon, VA
November 9 District Annual Meeting, TBA

April 2019 Page 9

 CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

APRIL 2019
11 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON SUPERINTENDENCY, 6:30pm, District Office
19 GOOD FRIDAY, Conference and District Office Closed
21 EASTER SUNDAY. HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!
25 DISTRICT BOARD ON CHURCH LOCATION & BUILDING, 6:30pm, St. Luke UMC
28 CONVERSATIONS ON RACE, 5:00pm, Church Street UMC
29 16th ANNUAL CAMP WESLEY WOODS GOLF TOURNAMENT, Egwani Farms Golf Course

APRIL 30– MAY 8 SEXUAL ETHICS & BOUNDARIES SEMINARS IN HOLSTON CONFERENCE
(See Page 2 of this newsletter)

MAY 2019
1 NOMINATIONS FOR THE DENMAN EVANGELISM AWARD DUE
4 LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES TRAINING, 8:30am-5:00pm, Middlebrook Pike UMC
4 UMVIM TRAIN YOUR LEADER, 10:00am-3:00pm, First UMC, Oak Ridge
6-8 JUBILATION, Holston Conference Retreat for Adults 50+, MainStay Suites, Pigeon Forge, TN
9 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON ORDAINED MINISTRY, 10:00am, District Office
16 DISTRICT CLERGY MEETING & LUNCHEON, 10:00am, Fountain City UMC
17-19 RISE UP AND SERVE, Holston Conference UMW Mission Event, Pigeon Forge, TN
18 TILLERY’S HUSTLE FOR HOPE, 9:00am, Victor Ashe Park, Knoxville, TN
27 MEMORIAL DAY, Conference and District Office Closed

JUNE 2019
5 HANDS-ON MISSION KIT COLLECTION, District Office
9-12 HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Lake Junaluska, NC

HELP US DISTRIBUTE THE DISTRICT NEWS!

You can help share the news from the Tennessee Valley in these ways:
 Please forward, print, share and distribute this issue of the District News with members and friends of your con-
gregations.
 If you know anyone who would like to be added to our newsletter email distribution list, please contact Lori Hop-
per (lorihopper@holston.org) or Mary Hawkins (maryhawkins@holston.org) providing a name and email address.
 If you would like to submit an article or have an event you would like published in the district newsletter, please
submit to: lorihopper@holston.org

April 2019 Page 10